The Man of Many Names - The Independence March
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by The Irish William Wallace
Addressing the Independence March and Rally in Edinburgh today (Saturday), Scottish National Party leader and First Minister Alex Salmond focused on the overwhelming evidence that people in Scotland want the powers over the economy and welfare that can only be achieved with a Yes vote and independence.
Mr Salmond sai😛
"We have an unrivalled opportunity next year - in 362 days time - to achieve something that no previous generation of Scots has done, and few countries ever do. To vote this nation into a new future of prosperity and equality - and to do so in a totally peaceful, civic and democratic manner.
"Today is an expression of our confidence that the people will put themselves - not Westminster - in charge of their own future by voting Yes.
"In this great debate, the Yes campaign stands on a solid platform on which to build success. We stand not only on the shoulders of the giants of our movement, who worked selflessly to deliver this precious opportunity. Even more importantly, we stand for the aspirations that the people of Scotland already have for the future of their country. In poll after poll, survey after survey, people in Scotland want the powers over their own natural resources, the welfare state and pensions which are vital in delivering the fairer society and stronger economy we need to build opportunity for all.
"And these powers - the people's powers - can only be achieved by voting Yes.
"By a factor of nearly four-to-one, people agree with us that decisions about Scotland are best made in Scotland, not by Westminster.
"Since its restoration 14 years ago, our national parliament has proved time and again that when decisions are taken here in Scotland we get the right outcomes for the people.
"The Scottish Parliament has ensured that we have university education based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.
"It has enabled us to maintain the integrity of our NHS, with care free at the point of need, as well as delivering free personal care for elderly people.
"In all the areas for which it is responsible, Holyrood has shown the benefits of having decision-making powers here in Scotland.
"People believe that their own parliament should also decide on the economy, should control welfare, should decide on Trident.
"The people want a parliament which sees postal services as part of the economic infrastructure required for a successful and competitive economy - and therefore for the fourth time this week, any government I lead in an independent Scotland will secure the Royal Mail in public ownership.
"The people want a parliament which makes work pay without oppressing those with disabilities. Therefore, any government I lead with the powers of independence will abolish the Bedroom Tax.
"The people want a parliament which invests the nation's resources in things that really matter such as childcare. Therefore, any government I lead will not engage in illegal conflict and we propose a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons.
"A Yes vote is for self-government, not remote government - good government with independence, not bad government from Westminster.
"We are a lucky generation - to achieve the powers the people want, to win a fresh start, and change our country for the better - we need only say the word. To put this country on the path of hope, optimism and achievement - to put the disappointments and missed opportunities of the past behind us - we need only say YES."
Excerpts taken from this article
Over 30,000 people marched in Edinburgh alone TODAY!
LARGE PHOTO #1
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VERY LARGE PHOTO #1
VERY LARGE PHOTO #2
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nice. v
I like the work of the Scottish Socialist Party, they were quite represented during the march.
Who writes others words on their countries flag? Any American that does that is an idiot. That being said I'm lacking in the full history but having seen Braveheart (laugh all you want) this could have been a reality hundreds of years ago. I hope they get what they want now. Free Scotland!
country's*
It's very common here for flags to also bear the names of organisations and teams etc. Never even really thought about it before.
Oh stop being such an American idiot. Our flag has been used for a lot more bad things then people writing on it. May I suggest the War In Iraq and Afghanistan. Tell me were you waving the flag then? Sometimes this silly notion of Americans wrapping themselves in a piece of cloth as though it has some sort of magical power is silly, as well as them quoting from their bible of Fiction or Fantasy. The choice is yours.
It's disrespectful to write on it. That doesn't make me an idiot you prick. Yes I have wave the flag and even had my picture taken while holding in IRAQ. You mad? Fgt.
Just because I'm an anarchist doesn't mean I won't burn a black flag
While you're wishing for utopia I just hope the cops don't search my paper bag
wooOOOOAAH WOOOAAAH! Oi! Oi! Oi!
mate, the English are notorious for carrying their flag around with them in every country they holiday in. Regardless of how bloody that nation's experience with British has been.
They do a whole ceremonial flag parade through the Irish community in Northern Ireland every year just to remind the indigenous population that they are conquered.
The Stars&Bars has no monopoly on dumb shit
In the US it is against flag etiquette to write on, use as advertising, step on or write on or wear the flag as clothing. That does not mean that many don't do these things. There are flag door mats. How disrespectful is that. The flag is not magical or anything. It is however a symbol of something. I guess the reasons for doing what you do to the flag is what is important. Writing the names of battles won as in our Civil War is showing you bled for your country and worthy of respect. Using it to sell trucks, not so much.
yes your right many countries like south africa and the u.s.a consider it disrespectful to write on their flags. usually that would be in a national flag law. others however don't and being eIrish I can tell you I have seen more written on flags than I have seen those that are not. sp there is no need for the debate different cultures different habits. and emperor black flag will someday trip you up. [beware]
It's just a flag bro...
Wrong answer. moving right along.
Hey Chance, it is only disrespectful to write on the flag in the US. In other countries not so much, you prick.
And I will tell you this asshole, I had more then my picture taken holding the flag in whatever place I was sent too when I did my time. So go Fuk yourself. Hope you enjoyed Iraq, cause I did not like it so much the first go around.
I'm pretty sure you completely missed the point.
V11
Support for Scotland resistance against English domination!
onto the topic : so who is the prince or princess of scotland and will he /she be out of a job? I understand why they want to be independent but think a lot of business men wont etc etc. other than that I really dont have an opinion either way.
Strength and Honour
Was at that march but didnt make it into any photos
ALBA GU BRATH
ALBA GU BRATH!!
Thanks for making it to the march, looking forward to next September
I wonder if the vote for independence passes next year will Erep add Scotland as an independent e-nation?
It'd be quite interesting to see.
In that event, I'd hope eRep does a vote and I'd vote against for erep reasons. Rl, Abu Scotland.
In that event I would argue that they should.
I don't completely understand the RL Scottish independence movement. I thought Scotland already had it's own governmental body within the UK, and I would have thought that they would be getting more benefit in service/economic terms. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this, but if I were from Scotland I'm not sure I would be behind it.
Scotland lost its independence in the first place essentially due to blowing all their cash on an attempt to start their own colonies. The plan went sour and that's why they lost their independence... it doesn't stir any cries for freedom from me 😛
Hopefully they gain independence just so that eR will have to make Scotland in the game and screw over the UK XD
It has devolved powers, however, some big decisions are still made by Westminster and not to mention they could give two-sh*ts about helping the Scottish poor. The Bedroom Tax is an example of many policies that have systemically impoverished the Scottish people. With independence, Scotland could use its wealth to lift the poor out of poverty, pursue pro-environmental sustainable goals nationally, and it is obvious Scotland is best ruled by Scots and not Thatcherites in England.
Not to mention that Scotland is center-left leaning whereas England is ever increasingly right-wing, which creates obvious conflicts of interest.
Scotland also believes in free education: ability to learn, not ability to pay. Scotland also wants to keep the NHS and the Royal Mail service.
Scotland was sold out, the people of Scotland (not the nobles) have had a rocky relationship with the English since recorded history --the land of Scotland (Pictii).
Above all, if none of that gives you a sense of 'why' independence, then let the democratic vote of the referendum be reason enough. If the Scots desire independence and achieve it through democratic means, than it is in the right.
Oh and nuclear disarmament, Scotland getting dragged into wars they don't want, and the fact Scotland has 59 MP's in Parliament and keep in mind there are 650 MP's.
England has past 60 million people, scotland around 6 million, seems like legit MP representation to me
sad thing is moar English people want Scotland independent then Scottish people do
tho what i dont understand is that if Scotland really did overwhelmingly want independence why wait so long for the vote
Free Scotland.
The vote won't pass. It'll be defeated about 60/40 at best. Just my prediction.
btw chance no one gives a fuk about writing on flags so fuk off. better drop the home of the free part from your anthem, cos u guise got more bullshit rules than anywhere on the planet.
land of indigenous holocaust and home of the slaves